It’s Wellness Wednesday and this week’s Wellness Crusader is The Helping Ann’s. They are a commercial and residential cleaning service, but they don’t just view their clients as a client; they view their clients like family and someone in need of their help. They even offer free wheelchair cleaning services! I was able to learn more about The Helping Ann’s from owner/operator Anastasia Louis:
What makes what you do important to one’s health?
I have been told by several clients that after receiving their home/office cleaning, their mood improved. They instantly became less stressed or depressed. I honestly believe their comments to be true. I like to provide a cleaning that not only you can see but feel! Cleaning improves one’s health because it eliminates toxins, viruses, and the disinfectant products remove germs so that certain bacteria and illnesses don’t spread.
What are some common health hazards you come across?
I believe that not washing your hands multiple times a day is a health hazard.
Before (left) and After (right) of a stove cleaned by The Helping Ann’s. (Photo: The Helping Ann’s)
What are some common themes that you have noticed that prevent people from keeping a healthier environment?
Many people do not prioritize cleaning. It has become an afterthought. For individuals who grew up never having to clean after themselves, they rarely ever understand the importance of keeping a clean environment.
What are some quick tips that one can do to create a healthier environment?
One quick tip would be to prioritize! Make a list of everything that needs to be done to help, benefit, or improve your health. Then label them in order based on what is the most important or most effective, all the way down to the least effective or least beneficial.
How do you educate your clients?
Client education is important but varies client to client. Some clients want me to clean with only natural products, others feel that bleach makes their home clean. Some clients want to be educated and others don’t.
What are some things you wish your clients were aware of?
I wish my clients understood that each home assessment varies and their specific needs vary based on the condition of the home. We are a tailored service.
Why do you offer free wheelchair cleaning?
We offer free wheelchair because a person who has to use that chair is stuck in it the majority, if not all, of their lives. With constant use, wheelchairs can easily get dirty. Cleaning is just as much about mental health as it is making your place look good. A person in need of a wheelchair already has to deal with a lot, so have something clean that they can sit in is one less thing they need to worry about. Those of us who are able-bodied sometimes overlook something so small that could really help a person have a good day.
Bathroom cleaning services. (Photo: The Helping Ann’s)
What are some misconceptions that people have about your profession?
People assume that my company is hired because someone’s home has gotten uncontrollably filthy, or that our services are more of a “luxury,” than a necessity. Our services go beyond cleaning—it’s deeper than dirt! You never know what battles people face—sometimes it’s depression, a death in the family, or some suffer from not ever learning how to properly clean. I’ve learned in my many years of service that cleaning is almost always last on people’s list of priorities. I understand their needs. The fact that they are vulnerable enough to pick up the phone and admit that they need help is huge! I have clients tell me all the time how they absolutely need a cleaner but are too embarrassed to allow anyone into their home because of what people may think or say about them. You see filth, but I see a patient trying to recover from surgery, a mom struggling with four kids, an elderly couple over the age of 90 living alone and still caring for one another, or people with disabilities. I see everyday life slapping people in the face and I just want to help make their life a little better. We actually make real-life connections with some of our clients.
To Learn More:
Call (424) 216-2152
Business hours: 8am-5pm
We do accept calls 24 hours a day for emergency cleanings (Based upon availability)
Instagram: @thehelpinganns